just like that, a proposal that john boehner puts out. he's trying to say that it is from the bowles proposal but erskine bowles came out yesterday and said flat out that the proposal the republicans put out does not mimic his. therefore, the republicans are lying again. republicans and the tea party people, they know that they are lying. it is just that simple. the president put out a proposal. ok. don't criticize the president for the proposal. show us a real proposal. do not ask us to trust you. host: reporting in "the new york times." republicans say their counteroffer is close to the numbers supported last year by erskine bowles. he said last week his numbers offered testimony to a special bipartisan congressional committee on a visit reduction were not so much a plan as a back of the envelopes addressed and to show a deal could be struck somewhere between mr. obama's position in the speaker during their talks last year. next caller, colorado, independent line. caller: i think's he's been as a great way for people to have their voice